Joe Biden can participate in CNN debate, but will he?

Vice President Joe Biden talks to students and guests Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Miami Dade College in Miami. Vice President Biden traveled to Florida to support Senate Democrats and the administration's education agenda.

(Alan Diaz/The Associated Press)

CNN says it will allow Vice President Joe Biden to participate in the first Democratic presidential primary debate even if he decides that day to be a candidate.

The network released its criteria for the Oct. 13 debate on Monday. Since Biden has achieved an average of one percent support in three polls -- even though he isn't a declared candidate -- CNN said he needs only to file the necessary paperwork or say he will that day to be in the debate.

Biden aides have cited the CNN debate as one of the major factors in the vice president's timing in making a decision. They have described it as an important opportunity, if he runs, to establish him as an alternative to Clinton.